Graduate Programmes jobs in Crown Mines, Gauteng

At Danone, everyone is encouraged to learn, grow, and challenge the status quo. As part of the R&I team, you will gain hands-on experience across product and packaging development, working on both innovation and renovation projects within Fresh Dairy and UHT categories.

General Responsibilities:

• Participate in cross-functional rotations every 3–6 months.
• Support operational and strategic projects within each department.
• Analyse data and contribute to process improvements.
• Collaborate with teams to solve real business challenges.
• Attend training sessions and development workshops.
• Present learnings and recommendations to senior management.

FUNCTION-SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES: RESEARCH & INNOVATION

Product Development (Fresh Dairy & UHT)

• Support the development and optimisation of yoghurt, desserts, and UHT products.
• Assist with recipe formulation, ingredient evaluation, and product benchmarking.
• Participate in sensory evaluations and shelf-life studies.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver consumer-centric solutions.
• Analyse technical, sensory, and product performance data to support decision-making.

Packaging Development

• Support the development, qualification, testing, and validation of packaging solutions for dairy products.
• Gain exposure to different packaging materials and formats, including primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging.
• Assist with factory trials, product-packaging compatibility assessments, and performance checks, documenting key observations, risks, and outcomes.
• Support packaging specifications, artwork reviews, colour standards, compliance requirements, and internal quality standards.
• Collaborate with suppliers and internal teams to identify opportunities for cost optimisation, material efficiency, recyclability, and sustainable packaging improvements.

Industrialisation & Innovation Projects

• Support the scale-up of new products from laboratory development to factory implementation.
• Participate in factory trials and process validation activities.
• Assist with troubleshooting and optimisation during product launches.
• Support project management activities to ensure timely delivery of innovation and renovation projects.

Documentation Management

• Support the creation and maintenance of specifications.
• Gain exposure to specification management across raw materials, packaging, recipes, processing and finished products.
• Support data quality, harmonisation and digitalisation initiatives.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure accurate and compliant specifications.

We are looking for graduates who are passionate about innovation, product development and bringing health through food to as many people as possible.

Qualification(s):

• Bachelor's degree/Diploma in Food Science, Food Technology, Biotechnology, or a related field.

Skills & Competencies:

• Strong academic track record.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and communication skills.
• Curiosity and a passion for innovation within the food industry.
• Ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional teams.
• Strong attention to detail and an eagerness to learn.
• Willingness to work in both factory and office environments, supporting product development from concept through to implementation.

We offer:

• A structured 24-month development programme within Research & Innovation.
• Hands-on experience in product development, packaging development, industrialisation, and factory trials.
• Opportunities to work with cross-functional teams including Quality, Regulatory, Manufacturing, Procurement, and Marketing.
• Coaching, mentorship, and continuous learning opportunities.

The chance to contribute to products that bring health through food to as many people as possible.